03/08/2026
Most students use AI wrong for their research project — vague prompts, generic output, and fake citations they don't catch until defense day.
Here are 5 of the 77 prompts inside my Final Year AI Advantage guide. Save this post. Copy any prompt, fill in your details, and use it exactly as written.
1. Don't have a topic yet? Use this:
Act as a senior university researcher and project supervisor.
My academic details: Department: [Insert] Level: [Insert] Area of Interest: [Insert] Available Resources: [Insert] Time Available: [Insert]
Generate 15 possible research topics. For each topic include: improved academic title, research problem, why the problem matters, independent variables, dependent variables, possible research design, feasibility rating (1-10), literature availability rating (1-10).
Reject topics that are too broad, impossible to complete, or lacking measurable variables.
2. Stuck writing your Statement of the Problem? Use this:
Act as a research supervisor.
My study details: Topic: [Insert] Research Area: [Insert] Target Population: [Insert] Known Problem: [Explain] Existing Situation: [Explain]
Generate a strong Statement of the Problem (300-500 words) that includes: current situation, evidence the problem exists, consequences of the problem, limitations of existing solutions, research gap, how my study addresses the gap.
Avoid: general complaints, emotional language, unsupported claims.
3. Worried AI is feeding you fake citations? Use this:
Review your previous response. Identify every: author name, publication year, journal name, article title, statistic, and research finding.
For each item, state: whether you are certain it exists, whether it requires verification, whether it could be a plausible but inaccurate generation.
Flag anything that should NOT be cited until independently verified.
4. Can't figure out your sample size? Use this:
Act as a research statistician.
My study population: [Insert number] Research Design: [Insert] Confidence Level: [If known] Margin of Error: [If known]
Calculate appropriate sample size using suitable methods: Taro Yamane / Cochran Formula / Krejcie and Morgan Table.
Show: formula, calculation, final sample size, recommended method for my study — and how to defend it academically.
5. Scared of your defense? Use this:
Act as my university project defense panel.
My project: Topic: [Insert] Department: [Insert] Summary: [Insert]
Ask me 30 difficult defense questions covering topic justification, research gap, methodology, sampling, data analysis, findings, limitations, and recommendations.
After each question, tell me what the examiner wants to hear, what a strong answer looks like, and the common mistakes students make.
These 5 alone will save you hours. Imagine what 77 more can do — one for every chapter, every stage, from topic selection to your final viva.
👉 Want the full research prompts from research topic to final defence?
